Monthly Updates

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Aussie Hospitality

Here I am in a little place called Glen Innes somewhere north of Newcastle. That's Australia, not England!All the places nearby have a Celtic ring to their names: Ben Lomond, Glencoe, Dundee and Balmoral! There's even an annual Celtic festival!

view from my cousin's place in Glen Innes

One of my numerous Australian cousins lives here with her husband and four kids and I am visiting for a few days. The scenery is stunning and such a contrast to Istanbul. Where are the people? the cars? Here it is green with rolling hills, spacious and quiet except for the birds and cicadas.

This eveningJill went to town and cooked a first class meal. They’re all very competent in the kitchen, my cousins. Despite the fact it was about 31 degrees today, it was a roast dinner and pork in honour of me! She put her shoulder of pork in the oven this morning on a high heat and then turned it down low for basically the rest of the day.

The smellwas tantalizing as it slowly roasted with its accompaniment of apples and onions. We were out and about but gradually the aroma drew us in.They eat early here but I was ready.

Jill excelled herself with all sorts of side dishes including my favourite baked pumpkin with rosemary, roast potatoes, cauliflower au gratin, and a mixed vegetable stir-fry with a curry tang.

cauliflower au gratin

As for the meat, it was so tender,it virtually fell apart upon carving. The joy of having melt-in-your mouth pork with homemade gravy not to mention the crackling is indescribable when you haven't had it for a long time!